The Working Plan

Consciously re-making your decision to be healthy is key for long term weight loss success.

Why are some dieters more successful than others?  Why do some people lose weight and keep it off?  According to a recent study, the answer se3ems to be in consciously remaking the choice to be healthy every time you are tempted to break your diet or not exercise.

The healthy choice… The key lies in remaking that choice.  The same choice you made when you initially started to diet must be re-affirmed over and over again.  The successful dieter makes a conscious choice like, “I would rather  be thin than eat this piece of cake,” or ” I want to keep my weight down more than I want to skip my exercise today. ” said Marilyn Wood, University of Alberta.

The healthy purpose… Although exercising with others is motivating , it does not guarantee success.  Success comes from remaining focused on why you’re wanting to lose weight.  In a recent study, most men said they exercised for their health while women said they exercised to improve their appearance.  Whichever the case for you, the way to success is remaining focused on your primary purpose.  The purpose should compliment your choice.  “I am choosing not to eat this food because I am going to loose 7 lbs before my birthday”.  Be specific.  You want to see results.  Talk to yourself in specific language.  You’ll never know when you reach your goal if your goal is too vague.

The healthy plan… Living healthy is always much easier when its preceded by a plan.  Healthy choices are easier to make if you’ve made them when you are not at the moment of greatest temptation.  Don’t  expect it to be easy to say no to those fresh donuts if you’ve just walked into a bakery.  Some find it helpful to write their diet plans down.  They list what they will and won’t eat.  Others find it enough to simply think through tempting moment.  In either case, the key is to decide beforehand what your response will be.

Taking Action… Now you have a healthy plan that comes from a difinable purpose and you’ve made the decision to make healthy choices.  Determine to follow through.  It won’t be easy, but the results of a more enjoyable life will be more than worth your effort.